Fluorite is known as the most colorful mineral in the world. Fluorite is a veritable chameleon
of a gemstone. The most popular color for Fluorite is a deep purple which can rival Amethyst
in its finest examples. Fluorite/Amethyst comparisons are often used to show that color cannot
be relied upon as a gemstone test.
Coloration
Common Fluorite colors include: Purple, blue, green, yellow, colorless, brown, pink, black,
reddish orange and more. Some of the most eye-catching examples are multi-color Fluorites
with distinctive bands and zoning.
The word “fluorescent” comes from the mineral Fluorite which commonly fluoresces blue and
has been known to glow yellow, green, red, white or purple. Some Fluorites display different
colors under longwave UV light and shortwave UV light, and some will even demonstrate
phosphorescence in a third color. This is indeed a beautiful and dramatic gemstone.
Since Fluorite comes in such a huge array of colors it is really up to the individual to
determine what any given piece of Fluorite is worth. Fluorite is a relatively soft stone with
a glassy luster that makes it highly sought after. Gem quality specimens will naturally
achieve greater prices than those favored by mineral collectors but Fluorite is generally an
inexpensive stone.
All of these factors contribute to making Fluorite the second most popular mineral amongst
collectors after quartz.
Sources
Fluorite is available in many locations around the world including: Brazil, Canada, China,
England, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, USA and more.
Technical Characteristics
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Chemical Composition:
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CaF2 - Calcium Fluoride
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Hardness:
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4
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Specific Gravity:
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3.0 - 3.3
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